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National Music Theater Competition

The first national competition for the music theater soloist seeking the best emerging talent in 2020.

The 2020 NMTC semifinal and final rounds will be held in New York City at the Roosevelt Hotel Grand Ballroom, as part of the 2020 NATS Winter Workshop, January 10-12, 2020.

The final round is open to the public for $10 general admission seating and can be purchased at the door. The Roosevelt Hotel is located at 45 East 45th Street & Madison Avenue.

The National Music Theater Competition (NMTC) was launched in 2011 as the first national competition for the emerging professional music theater soloist. Now in its fifth iteration, NMTC has provided industry connections to past competitors and winners that have led to their success on Broadway and other venues. The biennial competition takes place in conjunction with the NATS Winter Workshop in New York City, expressly hosted in proximity to the music industry’s top professionals.

2nd Prize

3rd Prize - Louise Lerch Prize

4th Prize - Bill Hayes Prize

Eligibility

All singers age 20-28 as of September 15, 2019 (reduced entry fee for students of NATS Full or Associate members).

Entrance Procedure

Application requires payment of $90 application fee ($75 for students of NATS Full or Associate members).

All application materials must be submitted by the deadline - September 15, 2019. (After application, Online Preliminary applicants have until October 15, 2019 to upload their preliminary round videos)

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

No refund of application fees due to cancellation by the applicant will be allowed.

Applicants must agree to be available for appearance and not be booked during the dates of the NATS National Conference, June 26-30, 2020, in Knoxville, TN, should they be selected as a Semifinalist.

Where to Audition

PRELIMINARY ROUNDS

New York Auditions - Fall 2019 date and location to be announced

Online Auditions - Video submission deadline is October 15, 2019.

If you are planning to submit for the online round you must complete your application by the published deadline date, but you will have approx. 30 days after the deadline date to upload your audition videos

SEMIFINAL AND FINAL ROUNDS

January 10-12, 2020 in New York City as part of the 2020 NATS Winter Workshop. Approximately 24 singers will advance to the semifinal round in New York City.

Repertoire Requirements

NOTE: There will be no amplification available at preliminary round auditions. The determination of whether there will be amplification offered to participants for the final round will basically be determined by the size and acoustic quality of the room in which they occur.

Have repertoire or copyright questions?All questions specific to the rules and regulations, copyright, or about repertoire and requirements, should be directed to the nmtccoordinator [AT] nats.org.

Preliminary Round

THREE CONTRASTING MUSIC THEATER SELECTIONS that are written or intended for a staged musical production. The production may be a musical (including film musicals), revue, or song cycle. The selections should demonstrate the singer's full ability in Music Theater, showing contrast and variety among selections. We seek a top-quality, healthy, and unique vocal sound, appropriate for the repertory. Judging criteria will evaluate, among other factors, the breadth of repertoire chosen. Therefore, singers are encouraged to ensure that these selections represent the full spectrum of their vocal and dramatic abilities. Appropriate stage movement and dialogue or monologue, if an integral part of a selection, may be included. Original Keys from original shows or revival shows only. Singers may bring their own accompanist or use the on-site accompanist.

National Semifinal Round

FOUR ADDITIONAL SELECTIONS (FOR A TOTAL OF SEVEN) that demonstrate the singer’s full ability in Music Theater, showing contrast and variety among selections. We seek a top-quality, healthy and unique vocal sound, appropriate for the repertory chosen. Judging criteria will evaluate, among other factors, the breadth of repertoire chosen. Therefore, singers are encouraged to ensure that total of seven selections represent the full spectrum of their vocal and dramatic abilities. In this round singers may also want to ensure their selections represent a variety of historical periods of Music Theater. Appropriate stage movement and dialogue or monologue, if an integral part of a selection, may be included. Original Keys from original shows or revival shows only. Singers may bring their own accompanist or use the on-site accompanist.

National Final Round

Singers will construct a program not to exceed 20 minutes from their list of SEVEN SELECTIONS sung in previous rounds.

NMTC application available in Fall 2018

Adjudicators

Adjudicators at all rounds will include casting agents and managers from the top agencies in the industry in addition to veteran performers, coaches, and teachers.